Direction-indicating switch mechanism



Sept. `11,l 1928. A 1,683,970

A J. GEYER ET AL DIRECTION INDICATING SWITCH MECHANISM Filed Jan. ll, 1927 i Bymwzm Patented Sept. 1l, 1928.

JOHN GEYER AND JOSEPH SWITZER, OFMICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA.

IlIRECTION-INZDICATING SWITCH MIEICHLANISM.`

Application led January 11, 1927. Serial No. 160,480.

The present invention relates to improvements in switching devices for operating signals and has particular reference to a mechanism for controlling the operation of direc- 5 tion indicating signals for vehicles.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved device which is controlled by the movement of the steering post of a vehicle to operate a signal, or signals, to indicate 10 the direction in which the vehicle is turnino'.

tAnother object is to so construct the switching device that the wear on certain partsthereof is minimized so as to be prac- 15 tically negligible.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this nature which is eX- ceedingly simple in its construction, inexpensive to manufacture, not likely to easily become out of order, thoroughly eiiicient and reliable in operation, durable, and otherwise well adapted for the purpose for which it is designed.

`With the above and numerous other objects in view as Will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in certain novel features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed. c

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the device showing the same associated with the steering column and post such as is used. in an automobile, p

F ig. 2 is another elevation thereof taken at right angles to that shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a detail transverse section taken substantially on theJ line 3 3 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the same line as Fig. 3 but looking in the opposite direction.

Referring to the drawing in detail, it will nary steering column having mounted therein in the usual well known manner or any preferred manner the steering post 11. The steering column and steering post have been illustrated merely by Way of example to represent any stationary and rotatable member respectively for the purpose of bringing out the operation of the switching device about to be described in detail.

be seen that the `numeral 10 denotes an ordi? formed in its outer surface a pair of transversely spaced circumferentially disposed grooves 20 and 21, each of these grooves be- `ing continuous throughout approximately three hundred and forty degrees, the opposite ends of the grooves being connected by an inclined branch groove 22 angling across the peripheral face of the annulus. The annulus 17 is constructed'of insulating material of any suitable nature. Electric conducting strips 23 and 24 are fixed in the bottoms of the grooves 20 and 21 respectively. A terminal 25 is engaged with the strip 23 and a similar terminal 26 is engaged with the strip 24. These terminals 25 and 26 extend from the same end of the annulus 17 and are adapted to receive suitable elements such as nuts 27 in order that wires 7 and 8 may be engaged respectively with the terminals 26 and 25. These Wires 7 and 8 lead respectively to electrice signals 14 and 15 which are connected by wiring 9 to a. source of electrical energy 12 which is grounded as at 28. A clamp 29 is engaged on the steering column 10 so as to be stationary and has fixed thereto a pin 30 which projects across the periphery of the annulus 17 and is headed as at 31 at its extremity. A wheel, disk, or any suitable annular element 33 is rotatable and slidably mounted on the pin 30 and rides in grooves 20, 21 and 22.' The element 33, the pin 30 and the clamp 29 are constructed of electric conducting material thereby forming a ground connection` through the steering column 10 as is indicated diagrama'tically at 34.

When the vehicle on which the steering column 19 and steering post 11 is mounted is moving straight ahead the parts are disposed as is indicated in Fig. 1, that is, the element 33 is disposed in the branch groove 22. It Will be seen that when the post 11 is revolved in one direction, the annulus will revolve therewith causing the element 33 to move into groove 20 and engage contact strip 23 thereby causing the circuit to the electric signal 15 to indicate the movement of the vehicle in one direction. lVhen the steering post 11 is revolved in the opposite direction the annulus 17 is revolved ,therewith and then the element 33 will move into to be mounted on members one. of which is the groove 2l thereby engaging contact strip rotatable with respect to the other whereby 2i to close the circuit energizing the other the follower element will engage either of electric signaling element ll. the. strips of conducting material ,for closing 5 It is thought that the construction, utility, the circuits.

operation. and advantages of this device will 2. In combination, a rotatable member, a be clearly understood without a more de- `stationary member, an annulus mounted on t-,iiled description thereof.- It will be seen one of the members and formed of non-com that the present embodiment of the invern, ducting material having formed in its outer 10-tion is exceedingly simple in its constrnc- Surface a pair of transversely spaced cirtion, will operate with accuracy, efficiency, cumferentially disposed grooves and an inand reliability, and that there are practicalcllned branch groove angling across the outly no parts ywhich can easily become out of e1' surface and connecting the opposite ends order. This present embodiment of the inof the pairs of grooves, conducting strips 15 vent-ion, however, has been disclosed merely lnOllntd in the plir of grooves, a pin, means by way of example since "in actual practice fOr InOuIltlng the pin 0n the other member, uit attainsihe features of advantage enumerand a followerelement slidable on-the pin ated as desirable in the statenient of the inand extending into the grooves.

y'ention and the abov'e' description. It will' 3- In Combination, a rotatable member 2o be apparent thutmnmeI-Oug"hgnggs in the and a statlonary member, an annulus formdetails of construction, and in the' combinaed in Sections, for securing the sections tion and arrangement of parts may be re- {LbOllt 011 0f the membelS, Said lnnlllus bosorted to Without departing from the spirit lng fOInled O f HOD-Conducting material havor scope of the invention as hereinafter lng formed 1n. its outer. surface a pair of :T5 Claimed 0r gacri'cingmy 0f im adyantage5- transversely spaced circ'umferentially dis- Having thus egel-ibm fmimfan-tion what posed grooves and an inclinedbranch groove we Claim as new is; anglingacross said outer surface and con 1. In a switching device of the class defleeting the PPOSte ends 0f the Pfll 0f. scribed, an annulus of non-conducting magIOOVeS, Conducting strips inthe pair of 39 terial having formed in its outer surface a g1'00VS, Pill, il Cial'np in Which the pin is pair of transversely spaced circumferentialxeda Sad Clamp bemg clamped 350m the 1y digposcd grooves and an inclined branch other member, a disk slidable and rotatable groove angling across said outer surface and 011 Said Clamp .and @Xtending into said connecting the opposite ends of the pair: of glOOYe f01' engaglng the Contact Strips upon 35 grooves, conducting the strips mounted in IOttltlon Q the 1`0f21tb1 mmbelthe bottoms of said pair of grooves, a pin, In testimony whereof they aiiix their siga follower element rotatable and slidably naturesmounted on said pin and extending into the JOHN GEYER. grooves, said annulus and said pinadapted JOSEPH SlVITZER. 

